SAN MATEO, Calif. – Rachel Morrison (Farmington Hills, Michigan) added her name to the record books as she won the women’s F51 club throw on the first day of the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships at the College of San Mateo.

After only discovering Paralympic track & field less than a month ago, Morrison sent the club flying 18.82m/61-09.25 to smash the previous record by nearly three meters. The previous record of 15.83m set by Catherine O’Neill of Ireland sat on the books for more than 13 years.

Rachel Morrison (right) celebrates her win with Coach Erica Wheeler.

“I never thought about going to the Paralympics or a world championship before this,” Morrison said. “I’ve always done sports and to discover Paralympic sport was kind of a lifesaver for me. Finding new sports like this is just awesome.”

Morrison was affected by transverse myelitis only three years ago, which left her with significantly limited mobility.

“I’ve learned so many things from all of this, and even if I could get up and walk away, I wouldn’t walk away from all of the lessons that have come from this.”

In the men’s T43/44 200-meter final, David Prince (Venice, Florida) and Jarryd Wallace (Athens, Georgia) battled down the homestretch with a strong headwind. Prince took the win in 22.90 seconds, with Wallace in second in 22.90 seconds.

Josh Cinnamo (Apple Valley, Minnesota) won his class in the men’s F46 javelin in 40.41m/132-07 to set a PanAmerican and American Record during the morning session. He came back in the afternoon to grab another American record in the shot put in 13.11m/43-00.25.

Fourteen-year-old Aubrey Headon (Rochelle, Illinois) improved her own American record in the T35 200. Headon slashed more than three seconds off of her previous best time as she crossed the line in 39.20 seconds.

Competition runs through Sunday, June 21 at the College of San Mateo track & field stadium. The championships are being hosted in cooperation with USA Track & Field Pacific Association, the College of San Mateo and the San Mateo County Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.